Child sponsorship update from Mbalmayo

Update report from SOS Children's Village Mbalmayo, Cameroon 2008 for child sponsors

It is a great pleasure to give you information on the activities carried out in the SOS Children’s Village of Mbalmayo throughout the year 2007.

The SOS Children’s Village of Mbalmayo, situated at the entrance of the town named Mbalmayo took care of ninety eight (98) children throughout the year 2007. They knew some changes in the management of the village the former director, Mr Remy Zeh Nko’o who went back to the national administration of the country, and the arrival of a new director, Mr Mekolo Alphonse. The children, as well as the staff of the Village are still getting use to this change of management.

The economic situation of the village did not change as such. In fact, the village still depends from sponsors contributions and still, the increase of prices of foodstuffs and goods of first necessity on the market, joined to the continuous unemployment trend resulting from the closing of the majority of wood transforming companies in Mbalmayo.

However, many achievements have been made; many programs and activities have been carried out.

In terms of partnerships:
Just at the beginning of the year, we carried out a sensitisation campaign nation wide for the respect of the rights of the child in collaboration with a telecommunication company, MTN Cameroon. With the ministry of social affairs, we took part to the celebration of the 17th edition of the African child and the 9th children’s parliamentarian session. We also had an exchange with natural families of the children taken in charge by our institution in view of improving our collaboration. A village fair was organised at the SOS Children’s Village of Mbalmayo to which the other children of the Mbalmayo town were invited; a day of friendship and exchange was organised between the children of the SOS children’s village and those of the “foundation petit Dan et Sarah” at Soa close to Yaounde. This foundation also cares for abandoned children.

Our female staff took part to the ceremonies marking the International Women’s day in the town of Mbalmayo, on March 8th. The youths carried out a wide range of activities with the support of local companies. Some, like the National Radio and Television Company (CRTV), and the company in charge of airport management have taken them for internships during holidays; others like the national newspaper company (SOPECAM), and a milk manufacturing company (CAMLAIT) have accepted educational visits throughout the year.

The national vaccination day against measles was launched in the Mbalmayo district within our SOS medical centre in partnership with the delegation of health of the Mbalmayo district. We took part, through the children’s government to the vote organised by the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child (WCPRC).

Children's success through the year

In the field of Sports:
A Football soccer competition was organised in the SOS children’s village during summer holidays 2007, under the supervision of the children’s delegate to sports activities. Thanks to some visitors of the village, some children were initiated to the Japanese dance. Those of the SOS Primary school have won two gold medals in girls and boys athletics on the occasion of the FENASCO B games for the centre.

A sport programme for SOS mothers was set up during the year 2007. It is much more a body fitness sport considered as an activity of relaxation without the search for any performance.

In the educational field:
We have reinforced the activities of the children’s council by redefining the attributions of various delegates therefore reinforcing their authority towards other children and even in the village community. The Children’s Council is an organ made of children and youths to enhance their participation in the life of the Village.

In order to improve the living conditions of our student and teacher’s population, we have set a school canteen project that is been gradually realised thanks to the sponsorship of a chocolate company.

We also received from the parent’s teacher’s association some gifts made of 02 computers and 04 refuse bins.
Among the youths, we have had our first graduates. These are two girls, Francine and Helene who have succeeded their examinations and move to higher education; they intend to study respectively communication and stylish model making.

In the field of health:
In addition to the usual medical check-up of our children, they received vaccination against the viral hepatitis. With regards to national programs, we have had a widened program of vaccination (WPV), campaign against STI /AIDS, prevention of the transmission mother-child of HIV (PTMC).

The Family reinforcement programme:
The program set up in the Mbalmayo town supports today 106 boys and 94 girls. Out of the usual food, educational and heath support, this year has been particularly marked by income generating activity programs through trainings and micro-loans giving.. The main objective remaining, reinforcing the capacities of families to take care of their children, and therefore, reducing child abandon. The program also stressed on psychological care, and sensitisation on STI/AIDS and on the rights of the child.

Dear sponsor, we would not end this annual report without thanking you, on behalf of the children, for the continuous interest you have put on our activities and programs. Many projects, like the recent opening of the SOS Children’s Village of Douala, have so far been realised with your support. We still count on you for more achievements to reduce child abandon in Cameroon.

Yours faithfully,

Village Director
Mekolo Alphonse